In partnership with the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, the New Zealand Post have launched (17th February) their latest coin which marks the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The coin, struck by the BH Mayer Mint in Germany, is New Zealand’s only legal tender coin to celebrate the Queen’s 60 years as head of State of New Zealand. The reverse design is also the only depiction of the Queen delivering her Christmas Message from Government House in Auckland, New Zealand.

Broadcast in December 1953 during her official commonwealth tour after her Coronation, it was the Queen’s first and only Christmas Message broadcast outside Britain. The Queen’s Christmas message is a highly anticipated part of Christmas Day both in the United Kingdom and throughout the Commonwealth. It typically touches on the year’s major events, as well as the sovereign’s personal milestones.

The denomination of one Dollar ($1) and the inscription “QUEEN ELIZABETH II DIAMOND JUBILEE” is shown above the primary design. Additional inscriptions read “CHRISTMAS MESSAGE – NEW ZEALAND 1953”. New Zealand native Christmas flowers (Pōhutukawa) are included as part of the design with color applied. These native flowers bloom at Christmas time in New Zealand, which falls at the height of summer. The pōhutukawa tree is therefore commonly referred to as the New Zealand Christmas tree.

The obverse side features the Ian Rank-Broadley profile of the Queen which has been used on British and Commonwealth coinage since 1998. Under the profile is the year of issue, “2012”. The crown is struck in pure silver (.999) and in proof quality with a weight of 31.1 grams and a diameter of 40 mm. The total mintage is limited to 15,000 pieces.

For more information on this and other coins offered by New Zealand Post, official distributors of New Zealand coins and currency products, please visit their website at: www.nzcoins.co.nz

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